FRENCH GOVERNMENT PARTNERS FUNAI ON JOINT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR POST-GRADUATE STUDIES
The Government of France is partnering the Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State on Joint Scholarship Programme for postgraduate studies. This was revealed by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba while addressing ‘young’ academics on the need to take advantage of the partnership between the University and the French Government to bag their Master and Doctoral degrees in acclaimed French Universities.
Held at the Faculty of Science multipurpose hall of the University on Thursday, 6th October, 2016, Professor Nwajiuba said true academics were only those who are irrevocably committed to production-driven research geared towards providing solutions to many challenges facing society.
VC, Prof. Nwajiuba addressing the young academics on the need to breast up to the academic challenges of the 21st century
He further stated that the FUNAI/FRANCO Joint Scholarship Partnership was an opportunity for every academics in the University to gain international exposure in the area of their research interest, adding that learning French language in the process would also make them bi-lingual, give them an edge and added advantage in the present globalized economy.
The Vice Chancellor maintained that for the University to actualise its vision of world-class status, academics should strive to be proficient and master of second language like French, German and Chinese, which he said would make them access research grants for their doctoral, post doctoral and fellowship programmes from different Universities around the world. He added that being bi-lingual also enables one to be considered for lucrative positions in many international organizations.
Speaking on the partnership earlier during a visit by the Vice Chancellor to his office on Friday, 24th June, 2016, the French ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer said having taken a cursory look at the vision and academic activities of the University under the leadership of Professor Nwajiuba, the French Government has agreed to collaborate with the University in training its young academics to acquire their Master and Doctoral degrees in French Universities.
VC, Prof Nwajiuba(2nd L), S.A to the VC on Linkages and Advancement, Mr Chris Uwadoka (1st L), the France Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer (3rd L),Cultural and Cooperation Attaché at the far right and Dr Nnenna Nwosu (2nd R), during the VC’s visit to the Ambassdor on Friday, June 24th, 2016 at Abuja
The France ambassador to Nigeria noted that Nigeria and France have had a long and fruitful history of partnerships and pledged to continue promoting the bilateral ties through their embassy and other agencies in the country. The French diplomat further reiterated his country’s willingness to collaborate with the University in the area of educational advancement and research. Ambassador Gauer said this would eventually metamorphose into exchange program where FUNAI and France might be swapping academics in order to promote their cultures and technologies.
VC, Prof. Nwajiuba (R) with the France Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gauer during VC’s visit to his office at Abuja
Meanwhile, arrangement has been concluded to start a 20-week intensive French language training programme in the University starting from October, 2016 to enable intending scholars gain French Proficiency certificate. The Programme Coordinator, Miss Saramme Comel of Campus-France, Abuja said this was the usual practice before the researchers depart for their studies in France.
Miss Comel who is in charge of the admission process, assured that arrangements were already in place to ensure hitch free academic works for interested and selected academics in France. The Director of Academic Planning, Professor Kevin N. Nwogu and the FUNAI Coordinator for the Programme, Dr Nnenna Nwosu on their part assured the academics of the support of the TETFund and University for the success of the programme and called on them to register and submit necessary documents to that effect.
The FRANCO/FUNAI Joint Scholarship Programme is a tripartite agreement between the Government of France, Alan Francais and the University. The French Government is expected to provide free Tuition, Health Insurance and Visa for the students while the University is expected to offset costs of students’ accommodation, air ticket and feeding and Alan Francais shall ensure the organization of French language lectures and testing of intending students to ascertain their proficiency and functional bi-lingualism,